Stefan Jansson

Wheelchair Rugby

"Wheelchair rugby has become a big part of me. I really believe the sport has brought me more confidence and pushes me to break the limits of what's possible."

Born on the 8th March 1985 in Sweden, Stefan Jansson was diagnosed at an early age with CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth), a condition that made him week in both of his arms, hands and legs. "I've always done what I wanted and never let my disability defeat me. It's shaped me into the person that I am today". It was during a rehabilitation trip to Florida where Stefan first experienced wheelchair rugby - "Whilst there, I was offered the opportunity to try a variety of sports. That's when I fell for wheelchair rugby. Within a year, I had started to play with a team in Stockholm. The sport contains everything that I need - intensity, toughness with a lot of tactics and physicality. I picked it up right from the very beginning. If you get the chance to try it - take it! The hits, the fastness and the feeling of freedom on the court in a custom-built wheelchair is magical".

In 2006, Stefan (alongside others) decided to take their interest in wheelchair rubgy one step further and started a wheelchair rugby team called 'Köping Hillbillies'. "The biggest challenge I faced was the lack of teams in Sweden. If you don't live near an existing team, then you'll need to drive a long distance - or start your own team of course. But truthfully, it's worth it". A few years later, his team would become the focal-point of a TV documentary that aired in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Moving from his hometown at the age of 23, Stefan went on to study as a youth worker in Kristinehamn. After his studies were complete, Stefan would then move to Stockholm to continue his passion of wheelchair rugby. "It's the town where most of the players lived and were receiving the most training time".

Competing in (and winning) countless European Championships since 2005, Stefan has played over 185 games for the Swedish National Team. Still living in Stockholm and entering his 16th year of competition, Stefan still competes for his beloved Koping Hillbillies team and also coaches a new team called 'Norrbacka HIF' - "Wheelchair rugby has become a big part of me. I really believe the sport has brought me more confidence and pushes me to break the limits of what's possible. My dream is to continue having a great life, with my family, friends and work ... and of course wheelchair rugby!"